Duke  University  Libraries 

The  plan,  and  a 
Conf  Pam  #691 


CENTRAL  ASSOCIATION 


THE  RELIEF 


^oliliciiJ)  4  S^wi^^  Ofaroliira. 


THE  PLAN,  AND  ADDRESS, 

ADOPTED  BY  THE  CITIZENS  OF  COLUMBIA, 
October  20,  1862. 


CHARLES 

STEAM-POWER   PRESS   OF    EVANS   AND   COGSWELL, 
No.  3  Broad  Street. 

1862. 


CENTRAL  RELIEF  ASSOCIATION 


SOUTH  CAROLINA  SOLDIERS. 


Dr.  M.  La  BOKDE,  Chairman. 
Hon.  JOHN  TOWNSEND. 
Hon.  \VM.  F.  Dk  SAUSStJRE. 
Rev.'B.  M.  palmer. 
Rev.  p.  J.  SHAND. 

rkv.  vvm.  martin. 

JOHN  A.  CRAWFORD,  Esq. 
Dr.  R.  W.  GIBBES,  Sen. 
E.  L.  KERRISON,  Esq. 
Dr.  JOHN  FISHER. 
H.  C.  BRONSON,  Esq. 


i»f 


PUBLIC  MEETING. 


Columbia,  October  20,  18G2. 

At  a  public  meeting  held  this  day,  in  the  City  Hall,  to  receive  the  re- 
port of  the  committee  appointed  at  an  adjourned  meetinfi,  on  tlie  8th  Octo- 
ber, to  devise  some  plan  lor  th«  relief  of  our  sufferinji  soldiers  in  the 
army,  Dr.  M.  LaBorde  was  requested  to  take  the  Chair,  and  Edward  Hope 
to  act  as  Secretary. 

Hon.  John  Townsend.  as  Chairman  of  the  Committee,  stated  that  they 

had  found  it  necessary  to  correspond  with  the  authorities  in    Richmond, 

and  upon  a  moderate  calculation,  South  Carolina  had  ten  thousand  soldiers 

.in   Virjrinia  in   a  destitute  condition;  tliat  the  constant  demands  of  the 

army  had  well-ni<ih  exhausted  supplies. 

The  report  of  the  committee  was  then  submitted. 

KEPORT. 

The  committee  appointed  to  "  devise  some  plan  by  which  relPef  may  be 
provided  and  sent  on  to  our  sufferintj  soldiers  in  the  most  practicable  form, 
and  with  the  least  possible  delay,  and  that  they  rej)ort  this  plan  to  the  con- 
sideration of  our  citizens,  at  a  meetinn;  to  be  called  for  that  purpose  at  an 
early  day,"  make  the  followinji  report : 

That  the  situation  of  our  army  and  the  near  approach  of  winti'r  demand 
immediate  and  prompt  action.  We  earnestly  recommend  to  the  benevo- 
lent and  patriotic  citizens  of  every  district  in  the  state  to  call  moetinrrs  at 
their  respective  court-houses,  and  orL'anizc  a  Central  District  Committee. 

District  Committees. 

This  committee  to  appoint  enerjretic  and  public-spirited  citizens  in  all 
sections  of  the  district,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  collect  all  articles  of  cloth- 
ing and  supplies  for  our  soldiers  in  the  army  and  hospitals,  or  money,  as 
may  be  most  needed  at  the  time,  and  see  personally  to  the  delivery  of  the 
same  to  the  Chairman  of  the  Central  Committee  of  their  district,  whose 
duty  it  will  be  to  transmit  the  same  to  the  Chairman  of  the  Central  Com- 
mittee of  the  state,  to  be  located  at  Columbia,  as  hereinafter  to  be  more 
particularly  designated.  The  transmission  of  these  articles,  money,  etc., 
to  be  made  at  such  times  and  in  such  way  as  will  secure  their  prompt  and 
safe  delivery  to  the  committee  in  Columbia,  and  to  be  directed  and  de- 
livered to  the  Chairman  of  the  said  Central  Committee,  who  will  duly 
acknowledge  the  receipt  of  the  same. 


CcntrnJ  Committee :  their  Duties. 

We  furtluT  recooimoml,  that  a  Central  Coramittop.  consisting  of  ten 
jrcHtlenicn,  bu  appointed  \i\  tlie  Chairman  of  this  meeting,  whose  duty  it 
(•hall  Ix!  to  act  for  tlic  City  of  Co'umliia  and  District  of  Richland,  dis- 
cliargiiig  the  same  duties  as  are  above  reconuneniIe(l  to  the  diirerent  dis- 
tricts in  our  state,  and  in  addition  to  these  duties,  to  secure  a  depot  for  the 
reception  an«l  security  of  all  articles  forwarded  to  the  Chairman  of  said 
Committee.  In  the  arrangenu'iit  of  the  depot  at  Colnml)ia,  and  which  will 
be  under  the  immediate  control  and  direction  of  the  Committee,  all  articles 
and  |):ii-ka'.ies  sent  ti)  {•ninp'inie.t  or  i)}<lic!'luiils  to  be  k<»pt  separate  from  all 
general  contributions,  so  that  their  safe  delivery  will  be  the  better  secured 
by  the  persons  to  whom  they  are  directed. 

Sow  Par!;<t(jcs  are  to  he  nutrhcd  and  sent. 

In  making  up  tlie  packages  or  boxes  of  articles,  it  is  recommended  that 
a  card,  wi.h  plain  and  full  directions,  be  placed  on  the  bundle  or  box;  or, 
what  is  more  secure,  paint  the  directioiis  on  the  box  or  package,  and  one 
with  similar  directions  be  placed  inside,  so  that  if  the  »ard  or  paint  on  the 
out,-iide  l>e  dcstroycil,  the  canl  within  will  direct  the  delivery.  Wlienever 
a  siifiicietit  (piantity  of  sujjplics  for  our  army  have  a.'cumulated  at  tlie  depot 
in  Columbia  to  make  a  shijinu'Mt  proper,  the  Central  Committee  will  lor- 
ward  the  same  to  a  de])ot  locateil  at  Richmond,  Va.,  under  tin;  immediate 
care  of  an  agent,  sent  on  by  the  Central  Connniltee  at  Columbia,  to  see 
personally  that  these  sup))lics  are  safely  and  promptly  delivered  at  the 
depot  in  Richmond,  and  take  his  receipt  for  the  same. 

Depot  to  be  established  at  Richmond,  and  duties  of  Agent. 

Your  (;onmiittee  further  recommend  that  a  depot  be  secured  at  Rich- 
mond by  the  Central  Committee,  for  the  sole  use  of  the  people  of  our  state, 
ami  for  the  benefit  of  our  own  citizens  who  are  now  in  the  service  in  Vir- 
ginia; that  this  depot  be  under  the  care  and  control  of  a  gentleman  who 
will  have,  and  who  deserves,  tlie  confidence  of  the  people  of  our  state.  It 
will  be  nnde  the  duty  of  the  gentleman  appointcil  to  take  charge  of  the 
de])Ot  at  Richmond,  to  give  to  the  officers  connnanding  the  soldiers  from 
South  Carolina,  as  well  by  general  notice  in  tlie  newspapers  as  by  special 
notice  to  our  officers,  inforniation  of  the  establishment  of  our  (h'pot,  and  the 
objects  proposed  to  be  accomplished  Ijy  the  location  of  said  depot  at  Rich- 
mond, ami  re(iuesting  that  they  would,  when  nei-essarv,  detail  a  member  of 
their  company  or  re'.rimcnt,  to  be  sent  to  the  de])ot  at  Richmond,  with  a 
written  statement  of  the  articles  needed  in  their  companies  or  regiments, 
and  which  detailed  soldier  sent  to  Richmond  would  be  able  to  take  to  the 
resuectivc  comi>anies  or  regiments  a  portion  of  tlie  general  contribution,  as 
well  as  the  private  contributions  intended  for  persons  in  the  said  companies 
or  regiments. 

May  send  a  special  Agent.    Private  packages  to  be  kept  separate 
from  General  Contributions. 

Or,  that  tiu;  superintendent  of  the  depot  adopt  such  other  method  of 
ascertaining  the  wants  of  the  army,  and  the  mode  of  transmitting  sujiplies, 
as  his  judgment  and  experience  may  suggest.  In  the  depot  at  Richmond, 
the  same  arrangements  of  separating  the  general  contributions  from  the 


private  packages  as  is  recommended  in  the  central  depot  at  Columbia,  to  be 
observed.  It  will  further  be  tlie  duty  of  the  agent  for  the  state,  at  Rich- 
mond, to  cause  to  be  faithfully  delivered  all  articles  sent  to  the  patients  in 
the  hospitals  in  and  near  Richmond,  and  whatever  of  tlie  general  contribu- 
tions he  may  think  advisable  and  necessary,  and  to  send  by  a  special  and 
reliable  agent  articles  and  supplies  to  our  soldiers  in  the  diiferent  hospitals 
in  the  State  of  Virginia,  and  that  he  take  such  measures  as  will  inform  him, 
from  time  to  time,  of  tlie  wants  of  our  sick  soldiers  in  said  hospitals,  situated 
at  a  distance  irom  Richmond. 

Jlaij  retain  h  the  depot  in  Columhia  a  portion  of  the  Genera!  Con- 
tributions for  our  Soldiers  in  South  Carolina. 

That  the  Central  Committee,  in  Columbia,  acting  upon  the  best  informa- 
tion they  may  be  able  to  obtain,  may  retain  in  the  de]>ot  in  Columbia  such 
a  ])ortion  of  the  general  contributions  as  they  may  thiidv  will  best  serve  the 
purposes  which  avl'  wish  to  a;'comj)li8h.  to  i)e  turnislu-d  to  our  soldiers  in  our 
own  state,  or  in  the  other  states,  as  exigencies  may  reijuire,  either  in  service 
or  in  our  hospitals;  and,  also,  to  receive  at  our  depot  all  private  packages 
sent  to  men  m  our  state  or  elsewhere ;  said  contributions  to  be  sent  by 
special  agents,  by  said  Central  Conmiittee,  or  delivered  to  persons  sent  by 
their  resj)ectivi>  oflicers  from  our  anny,  as  the  said  Committee  may  hi^ieafter 
determine.  And  it  is  further  recommended,  that  the  Central  Conunitt.ee  at 
Columbia  allow  to  the  agents  under  their  direction  such  reasonable  com- 
pensation as  will  be  just  ami  proper. 

Your  Committee  further  recommend  tlie  adoption  of  the  following  resolu- 
tions : 

1.  Resolved,  That  the  address  and  report  to  the.  people  of  the  state,  here- 
with submitted,  be  adoi)tcd  by  this  meeting. 

2.  Jiesolverl,  That  all  the  jiapers  of  this  state  be  refjucstcd  to  publish  the 
same,  and  that  three  thousand  copies  be  published  in  j)amphlet  form  for 
general  distribution. 

ii.  licsolcrd,  That  copies  of  the  above  named  pamphlet  be  furnished  to  tlie 
officiating  ministers  of  ail  religious  denominations  throughout  the  state,  with 
a  recjuest  that  they  be  read  to  their  congregations. 


ADDKESS 

TO    THE    PEOPLK    OF    SOUTH    CAROLI.NW   IN    UHHALF   OF   THEIR    ])ES- 
t  TITUTE    SOLDIERS. 

FrI'oir-citizrnx :  Less  than  three  months  have  passed  away  since  the  capi- 
tal of  our  Confederacy  was  beleagiiei'cd  by  the  most  formidable  army  which 
has  ever  been  massed  together  on  this  continent.  It  was  equipped  with 
every  M-(.»apon  of  war  of  the  latest  improvement  (in  ordnance,  ammunition, 
and  small  arms)  whi(di  modern  science  could  invent,  or  the  most  lavish 
expenditure  of  money  could  provide ;  its  apj)ointments  were  complete  in 
everything  which  the  most  powerful  nation  on  earth,  assisted  by  an  unlimi- 
ted commerce,  could  supply  ;  the  perli-ction  of  its  discipline,  after  eighteen 
months  drill,  by  masters  in  the  art,  made  it  the  admiration  and  boast  of  its 
countrymen;  and  it  was  assi^jted  in  its  movements  by  one  of  the  most  pow- 
erful navies  in  the  world.  An  army  like  this,  thus  Ibrmidable  in  everything 
which  could  make  war  destructive,  and  swanning  over  our  country  in  num- 
bers like  the  locusts  of  Kgypt,  was  well  calculated  to  create  anxiety  lor  the 
safely  of  our  capital. 


^^ 


Our  Army  inferior  to  that  of  the  Enemy  in  their  J-Jquipinents. 

If,  wa^  known  that  we  could  oppose  to  tliis  host  an  army  inferior  to  theirs 
in  evcrvthiiiJi,  exeej)!  courajre  and  dijicipline ;  and,  altliougli  we  lind  every 
eonfidtnce  in  these  (pialities  of  our  soldiers,  yet  to  every  rellectiiij;  man  in 
the  South,  eontenipialinjr  the  fearful  odds  a^rainst  us,  there  was  an  unde- 
fined dread  for  the  result,  which  pressed  like  an  overwhelming  load  upon 
his  heart.  "  Wliat  if  fiur  army  be  overpowered,  routed,  destroyed,  and 
Kiehmond  taken  V"  was  the  anxious  problem  which  every  man  pondered  in 
his  heart.  "What  if  that  barrier  of  bjave  h»'arts  should  be  broken  down 
bv  OTir  enemies,  and  havinjr  nothing  to  oppose  them  they  should  sweep 
down  over  the  fSoulh,  leaving  desolation  behind  them,  as  they  have  done 
ill  NortJiern  Virginia,  to  be  followed  by  other  Northern  hordes,  greedy  for 
plunder,  burning  with  lus-t,  and  raging  with  fanati<-ism  ?"  These  were  the 
painfully  anxious  musings  of  tiioughtful  men.  as  they  eontemjilated  the  two 
armies  eonfionfing  each  other  betbre  lliehmond,  and  the  enemy  possessing 
so  many  and  such  vast  advantages  over  us. 

•     Our  Military  Reverses  ivere  calculated  to  Discourage  us. 

The  military  reverses  which  had  befallen  us  one  after  another  for  several 
months  previous,  had  cast  a  gloom  over  the  public  mind,  and  had  greatly 
intensified  their  anxiety  about  the  fate  of  our  army.  The  fall  of  Forts 
Donelson  and  Henry,  and  those  near  Port  Royal,  the  occupation  of  Beau- 
tort  and  the  sea  islands  in  this  state,  and  several  of  the  sea-coast  towns  in 
North  Carolina,  the  surrender  of  New  Orleans  and  Nashville,  their  occu- 
pation of  large  portions  of  Tennessee  and  Kentucky,  and  the  Mississippi 
river,  the  evacuation  of  Pensacola  and  Norfolk,  and  tlie  blowing  up  of  the 
Merrimac  —  these,  and  other  reverses,  hung  like  a  murky  cloud  over  our 
political  horizon,  and  caused  many  to  desjwnd,  and  a  few  even  to  despair. 
And  now  the  enemy,  with  their  vast  and  well-appointed  army,  is  advancing 
upon  Richmond.  The  peninsula  is  overrun,  and  their  fortifications  are 
l)lantcd  iihnost  at  the  gates  of  our  capital,  while  their  immense  fleet  is  occu- 
pying all  ilie  approaches  by  water.  But  our  army  is  there  to  meet  them  at 
every  point. 

At  a  spectacle  which  was  so  full  of  momentous  consequences,  both  na- 
tions stood  agaze,  and  men  held  their  breath  under  the  intenseness  of  their 
anxiety,  while  the  pious  raised  their  supplications  to  God  for  His  blessing 
\M$on  our  arms. 

Our  Trust  in.  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  for  Deliverance. 

And  now,  fellow-citizens,  can  any  man  forget  that,  amidst  the  undefined 
fears,  and  doubts,  and  anxieties  with  which  his  mind  was  then  distressed,  he 
fixed  his  trust  in  our  arniji  of  the  Potomac  as  the  only  instrument,  tlirougii 
God,  to  bring  to  us  d(diver:iiu!e — the.  very  army  (or  what  is  left  of  it,  after 
the  killed,  and  the  wouiuleil  and  sick  in  the  hospitals  are  deducted)  which, 
having  heroically  performed  its  work,  stands  now  before  their  country,  in 
their  destitution  and  sufferings,  and  demands  of  her  J iistire  as  the  evidence 
of  our  gratitude.  And  have  tliey  not  a  claim  to  both,  in  fullest  measure? 
Consider  the  condition  of  tin;  country  imm(;diately  ])receding  the  battles 
before  Richmond,  as  it  has  been  briefly  presented  to  you — consider  the 
fearful  odds  against  us  everywhere  and  in  everything,  shut  out  from  assist- 
ance, as  we  were,  from  all  the  world — consider  the  feverish  temper-of  the 
pulilic  mind,  under  the  influence  of  these  discouraging  circumstances,  as  it 


•waited,  from  day  to  day,  for  the  bursting  forth  of  the  tempest  which  was  to 
A  decide,  perhaps,  the  fate  of  our  country,  and  then  form  some  ftstimate  of  the 

immeasurable  benefits  which  that  army  secured  to  us,  and  the  lively  grati- 
tude which  was  then  felt,  and  which  will  ever  be  due  to  it.  Carry  your 
mepiories  back  to  the  time  when,  during  that  ominous  calm  which  preceded 
the  terrible  storm,  every  man  awaited  the  tidings  from  Richmond  Avith 
breathless  anxiety. 

Their  heroism.     The  gratitude  of  the  Ration.     Their  clair^is  upon 
us  for.  Relief. 

At  length  it  comes.  Wiiat  sounds,  are  these  which  shake  the  earth  ?  It 
is  the  booming  of  deep-mouthed  cannon  and  the  rattling  of  ten  thousands 
of  musketry,  and  the  shouts  of  armed  men  contending  in  deadly  strife. 
The  battle  is  begun!  But  here  comes  further  tidings  llashing  over  the 
electric  wires,  and  what  do  they  tell  V  "  Victory,  victory  to  the  South!  " 
And  after  seven  days  fighting,  in  which  our  soldiers  poured  out  their  blood 
like  water,  and  performed  deeds  of  valor  which  have  made  them .  the  ad- 
miration of  the  world,  still  Avas  each  day's  report,  "  victory  "  to  our  arms,' 
slaughter  and  rout  to  our  enemy,  until  they  find  shelter  under  the  guns  of 
their  fleet !  Who  of  you,  then,  fellow-citizens,  did  not  feel  proud  of  this 
•  army  V  Who  of  you  did  not  then  feel  deeply  grateful  to  them  for  the  de- 
liverance they  had  wrought  for  you,  and  the  security  which  they  had 
thrown  around  }ou  ?  llcmember,  then,  that  the  same  army,  althoygh  sadly 
reduced  by  death,  wounds,  and  sickness,  now  confronts  again  the  advance 
of  our  enemies  on  the  banks  of  the  Potomac.  Remember  the  dangers  and 
hardshijis  they  have  suffered,  in  order  that  you,  your  families  and  property, 
-^  might  be  safe  ;  and  then  let  the  sentiment  of  gratitude  and  justice  in  your 

hearts,  inspire  you  to  remember  their  pressing  wants,  and  urge  you  to  sup^- 
ply  them. 

^yhat  say  the  IFomen  of  the  South? 

And  now,  citizens  of  South  Carolina,  what  is  your  response  ?  We  will 
not  ask  this  question  of  tlie  women  of  the  South.  jSIany  of  them  have 
their  cherished  ones,  their  husbands,  their  brotliers  and  their  sons,  in  one  or 
the  other  of  our  armies;  and  God  lias  put  their  hearts  in  the  right  place,  and 
they  have  not  allowed  them  to  be  warped  aside  by  avarice  or  selfishnessw 
The  sp%L-ulator,  the  monopolist,  or  the  extortioner,  cannot  live  within  the 

}>ure  atmosjdiere  of  woman's  nature,  and  we  know  that  their  response  will 
)e  all  that  liberality  can  devise,  or  patriotic  industry  accomplish. 

What  say  the  Rich  Men,  and  every  citizen  resolved  to  be  free? 

We  call  next  upon  you,  rich  men — ye  m'Iio  have  tens  of  thousands  of  pro- 
perty to  protect,  and  thousanrls  or  hundreds  to  give,  if  ye  will  but  forego 
your  luxuries,  and  follow  the  promptings  of  your  better  nature.  What  is 
your  response  V  We  forbear  to  answer  for  you  all  as  a  class ;  the  sequel 
will  dis:4ose  your  acts.  AVe  call  upon  you,  citizens  of  every  class,  and  of 
every  degree  in  wordly  goods  —  ye  who  have  your  wives  and  daughters  to 
protect  against  a  ruHian  soldiery — who  have  your  homes  and  property  to 
save  from  confiscation — who  have  your  personal  rights  and  liberties  to  de- 
fend against  the  vilest  and  most  vulgar  Ivranny  on  earth- — the  tyranny  of 
the  ranting  Fanatic,  and  Abolitionist,  who  aim  to  degrade  the  white  man  to 
^  the  level  of  the  negro  slave ;  what  is  your  response  V     We  will  not  doubt 


but  tliat  it  will  bo  liberal,  and  that  you  will  come  up  to  the  norossities  of 
this  {Treat  emergency,  witli  the  pronij)tness  of  men  who,  haviu'r  determined 
to  protect  their  families  anil  property,  and  preserve  their  liberties,  have  re- 
solved to  keep  our  armies  in  a  state  of  the  highest  elHciency,  as  the  best 
means  of  securing  these  ends. 

The  "  Sneaks  "  icill  he  mxUe. 

But  there  is  one  small  class^  whom  we  would  especially  call  upon — wo 
allude  to  the  ".sneo/>-,"  who  are  to  be  found  in  every  community ;  men  who 
are  loud-mouthed  in  tlicir  ])rofe,ssions  of  attaoliineut  to  our  cause,  and  per- 
haps really  "wish  its  success,"  but  success,  at  the  expense,  and  toil,  and 
sacrifices  of  their  neighbors;  who  will  dodge  the  Conunittee  who  may  call 
upon  them  for  their  contributions,  or  be  "not  at  liome,"  or,  "unfortunately, 
just  out  ot"  lunds,"  althougli  tiicy  be  ri..h  men,  and  can  command  as  much 
money  as  they  want  for  any  other  purj)ose.  Out  upon  all  such  for  their 
meanness  and  selfishness,  and  if  they  have  no  nulile  motive  to  prompt  the 
act,  let  them  at  least  contribute  from  tlie  selfish  principle,  which  induces 
them  to  buy  a  policv  of  insurance  against  fire,  or  pay  for  the  town  watch- 
man to  guard  their  premises  against  thieves — evils  which  they  will  find 
dwindle  into  insignificance,  conmared  with  the  loss  of  their  liberty,  and 
the  confiscation  of  tlieir  property  1 

ff'hat  response  do  the  Capitalists  and  Bankers  make? 

And  now,  capitalists  and  hankers,  we  call  upon  you,  who  have  millions, 
and  tens  of  millions  to  invest,  or  to  preserve  in  security,  ^^'hat  is  your 
response  'i  Remember  that  your  pecuniary  interests  are  deeply  involved 
in  this  issue.  If  the  South  is  reduced  to  subjection,  what  becomes  of  Con- 
federate bonds,  and  Confederate  stocks,  ami  Treasury  notes  V  Will  they 
ever  be  paid  ?  By  whom  V  If  the  Southern  States  accept  the  boon  gra- 
ciously tendered  to  them  l)y  tlieir  masters,  and  again  become  a  part  of  the 
"glorious  Union,"  will  tin-  debt  contracted  by  us  in  conducting  the  '■'rehel- 
liun,"  be  acknowledged,  and  provided  for  by  the  '■^paternal "  (iovernment, 
as  a  part  of  the  national  debt?  If  not,  can  the  South  ever  pay  it  V  •  HowV 
Only  by  a  direct  tax.  She  will  have  no  ])ower  to  resort  to  the  custom- 
house ;  that  will  belong  to  our  masters.  lUpuilialion  will  become  a  neces- 
sity. Tlie  Confederate  Government  promised  to  pay,  but  the  Confederate 
Government  will  no  longi-r  exist.  Look  to  it  well,  then,  and  see  what 
interest  you  have  in  sustaining  the  war.  There  is  not  a  bank  in  the  state 
but  holds  a  large  amount  of  Confederate  bonds,  stocks  or  currency — so 
large  that  they  nuist  go  to  the  wall  if  these  are  repudiated.  What  capi- 
talist has  not  made  large  investments  in  this  way  V  Let  these  parties  look 
to  it  in  time,  and  pursue  the  course  which  tlie  instinct  of  s^lf-j/rcser ration, 
if  notiiing  higher,  suggests,  and  support  the  war  liberally,  vigorously ;  and 
that  is  best  done  by  proviiliug  for  the  soldiers,  and  keeping  up  our  armies 
in  a  state  of  the  highest  efiiciency. 

"Reconstruction  of  the  old  Union?  or  Subjugation?" 
Ask  the  Exile. 

Let  us  not  shut  our  eyes,  fellow-citizens,  to  our  true  condition.  The 
terms  ollerc<l  to-us  by  our  enemies  are — "Reconstruction  of  the  old  Union," 
on  their  own  terms ;  or,  "  Subjugation  ;"  to  be  followed  by  political  slavery, 
and  confiscation  of  our  property.     What  is  your  answer  to  these  insolent 


9 

demands  ?  If  there  be  one  man  in  the  whole  South,  who,  after  the  cruel 
malignity  practiced  upon  us  b_y  our  enemies,  is  still  i^o  craven  as  to  desire 
reconstruction,  let  him  go  to  the  exile  who  has  been  driven  from  his  home ; 
who  has  been  comjxiUed  to  abandon  his  property,  and  has  been  reduced 
from  affluence  cilmost  to  beggary ;  and  inquire  of  him  what  is  his  answer, 
and  he  will  find  it  one  of  indignant  scorn  at  the  proposal.  Let  him  next 
inquire  in  those  regions  of  our  countrj-  in  which  were  once  the  pleasant 
abodes  of  abounding  plenty  and  Southern  hospitality — now  laid  waste  and 
desolate  by  the  enemy;  where  their  old  men  have  been  shut  up  in  prisons; 
the  wives  and  maidens  who  once  graced  these  homes,  insulted  and  expelled 
by  a  brutal  soldiery ;  their  servants  and  their  means  of  subsistence  taken 
away  from  them,  and  all  cast  upon  the  cold  charities  of  the  world,  and  ask 
Ihexe  what  is  their  answer. 


Ask  those  suffering  the  lyrivations  of  the  TTrt/-. 

Let  him  next  go  over  that  broad  territory  in  the  South  which  has  not 
been  visited  by  the  enemy,  and  contemplate  the  ]irivations  to  which  our 
people  have  been  reduced ;  let  him  witness  with  what  unmurmuring  cheer- 
fulness (as  an  evidence  of  their  devotion  to  our  cause)  they  have  given  up 
one  comfort  or  luxury  after  another;  nay,  with  what  stern  resolution  they 

f)art  with  those  things,  which,  from  long  familiarity,  have  ceased  to  be 
uxuries,  and  have  become  almost  necessaries;  their  srii/ar,  tha'ir  fa  mil  1/  mer- 
chandise, their  coffee,  and  even  their  salt:  let  him  contemplate  the  Avomen 
and  the  young  girls  barefooted,  guiding  the  plows,  to  obtain  the  food  which 
was  formerh'  provided  by  the  sons  and  brothei's  now  gone  to  the  wars ;  and 
then  let  him  first  ask  himoelf,  if  a  ])eople  with  such  a  spirit  can  be  con- 
(piered ;  and  then  ask  them,  if  they  are  willing  to  be  again  brought  into  a 
political  union  with  a  people,  who  have  inflicted  upon  them  such  injuries ; 
and  their  indignant  answer  Avill  be,  "  never!  never!  " 


Those  who  have  been  made  Widows  and  Orphans  bij  the  War. 

Let  him  next  enter  those  domiciles  now  draped  in  mourning,  which  are 
dotted  all  over  our  land,  and  which  were  once  the  happy  abodes  of  parental 
and  filial  love,  and  let  liim  inquire  of  its  weeping  inmates  if  they  are  wiUIng 
to  have  association  or  conne-tion  with  a  people  who  have  sent  forth  their 
armies  to  slaughter  their  husbnnds,  their  brothers  and  their  sons,  and  from 
their  heaving  bosoms,  oppressed  with  grief,  hear  their  piteous  cry — "nerer ! 


Ask  the  Yeoimniry  of  the  South. 

Let  him,  finally,  attend  those  assemblages  of  our  people,  where  every 
class  and  condition  of  our  citizens  are  to  be  found,  and  inquire  of  all  ages, 
from  the  gray-headed  sire  down  to  the  beardless  stripling,  if  the}'  desire  a 
reconstruction  of  the  old  Union,  or  will  consent  to  lice  and  be  subjuga- 
ted, and  with  one  mighty  shout  of  scorn  and  defiance,  their  cry  will  be, 
*'  Never  !  never  !  never  !  We  loatlio  an  alliance  with  men  who  liavc  war- 
red upon  us  from  motives  so  vile  and  mercenary,  and  we  fling  defiance  at 
the  vulgar  tyranny  which  attempts  to  subjugate  and  enslave  us.  Tlie  blood 
of  our  sUtughtered  kinsmen  calls  upon  us  for  vengeance,  and  the  impover- 
ished and  homeless  exile  claims  from  us,  as  his  countrymen,  piotection  and 
redress." 


10 

War  an'}  the  efficiency  of  our  Armies  our  only  altcrnatir^e. 

If  then,  feIlow<'itizens,  such  be,  as  it  undoubtedly  is,  your  fiini  and  unal- 
terable purnosc,  then  tln-re  is  but  one  way  to  aieoni|)!ish  it,  and  that  is,  by 
mcepiin<;  the  alternative  Ibricil  upon  us  by  our  enemies — war- — fierce,  and, 
if  necessary,  bloody  war,  until  we  shall  eonijuer  an  honorable  j)eace  and 
achieve  our  independence.  Our  armies  of  pi-otection  and  defence  must  be 
c<pial  in  cfliciency  to  their  armies  uf  inva4«ion  and  attempted  subjugation; 
and  if  our  government  be  incapable  of  providinp  everylliing  for  tlieir  elli- 
ciency,  we  should  endeavor,  to  the  extent  of  our  ability,  to  supi)ly  the 
deficiency.  And  here  is  the  jirecise  point  to  which  we  would  invoke  your 
earnest  thoughts  and  j)atriotic  eirort8. 

Cause  of  the  Destitution  of  ovr  Soldiers. 

It  is  known  that  after  the  seven  days  of  battles  and  victories  around* 
Richmond,  which  resulted  in  our  driving  the  enemy  discomfited  to  the 
shelter  of  the  guns  of  their  fleet,  that  they  took  the  earliest  opportunity  to 
abandon  t,hat  base-line  whicii  they  said  they  of  choice  had  selected  ;  and 
leaving  the  peninsula,  they  massed  their  troops  around  General  Poj)e  in 
the  neiglil)orhood  of"  Manassas.  There,  our  armies,  by  rapid  marches,  fol- 
lowed tliem,  like  eager  blood-liounds  in  ])ursuit  of  their  prey.  In  doing 
this,  with  the  celerity  wliiili  tlic  movement  reipiired,  it  became  necessary 
that  our  men  should  disencumlier  themselves  of  most  of  their  baggage.  In 
some  Divisions,  it  is  said,  their  knapsac-ks  were  lef^  by  order  of  theii-  oHicers 
in  huge  piles,  under  the  uncertain  protection  of  a  few  sentinels  to  guard 
them.  The  severe  service  during  the  seven  days  fighting  near  Richmond, 
the  rapid  marching  to  the  Uaj)pal»annock  in  search  of  the  enemy,  the  pur- 
suit o/' ^//e»»  from  that  place  to  iManassas,  the  three  days  fighting  in  that 
neighborhood,  the  slaughter  and  utter  rout  of  our  enemies  there,  and  our 
rapid  pursuit  until  we  drove  them  out  of  Virginia,  our  crossing  the  Potomac 
into  Maryland,  tlie  frequent  and  severe  battles  there  fought,  and  our  subse- 
quent returning  across  the  Potomac,  occupied  a  space  of  a  little  more  than 
a  month,  during  which  it  is  said,  by  one  who  was  present,  that  "  our  army 
rested  but  tour  daii's."  The  unj)aralleled  severit3-  of  these  rapiil  marches 
tested  to  the  e.vtreme  the  endurance  of  our  soldiers.  Thousands  fell  <lown 
exhausted  l)y  the  wayside  ;  oilier  thousands  struggled  on  with  the  army, 
throwing  away  one  article,  alter  another  of  their  clotliing,  to  ease  them- 
selves of  their  burden,  until  many  of  them  were  left  with  but  a  single  suit, 
and  many  without  a  blanket.  In  that  one  suit  tliey  marched  liy  day,  and  in 
tl»at  one  suit  they  fell  down  upon  the  cold  ground,  loot-sore  and  exliausted, 
and  sle])t  by  night.  These  painful  sacrifices  our  gallant  sokliers  heroically 
endured  to  advance  the  success  of  our  arms.  But  their  patriotic  anlor  was 
greater  than  their  capacity  of  endurance,  and  nature  at  last  gave  up  under 
the  accumulat(ul  sufferings  of  scanty  food  and  long  marches — both  aggrava- 
ted teirlbld  by  tlie  want  of  shoes  to  shield  their  feet  from  tjie  .stones,  and  the 
want  of  clothing  to  protect  their  bodies  from  the  ciiilly  dews  of  night. 
Owing  to  these  causes,  chiefiy,  and  to  the  sickness  incident  to  these  expos- 
ures, it  is  estimated  that  there  were  from  thirty  to  l\l\y  thousand  stragglers 
(so  called)  who  wei-e  absent  from  the  blooily  battle  of  Sliarpsburg,  the  most 
of  whom  were  broken  down,  and  although  eager  for  the  fight,  were  phi/si- 
cally  unable  to  go  upon  the  field. 

Tliis  destitution  nearly  ocrasioned  the  defeat  of  our  army. 

In  reviewing  the  incidents  of  that  momentous  struggle,  the  mind  shud- 
ders at  the  thougiit  of  the  extreme  peril  to  which,  at  one  time,  our  army 


11 

was  exposed;  and  we  are  taught  a  lesson  which  it  will  be  profitable  to  lay  to 
heart.  Weakened  by  tlie  extraordinary  defections  Ironi  onr  ranks,  to 
which  we  have  just  alluded,  and  pressed  upon  by  the  whole  power  of  oin- 
foe  ill  overwiielniinsr  numbers,  we  were  saved  from  utter  defeat  only  by 
tiie  indomitable  courage  of  our  soldiers.  And  who  does  not  know  that  de- 
feat, at  tliat  time,  would  have  been  the  ruin  of  our  army,  to  be  followed 
by  the  most  disastrous  c'onsequences  to  our  whol<?  country? 

Upon  causes  apparently,  tlien,  so  trivia!,  does  the  iate  of  "a  people  fre- 
quently depend!  Had  our  army  been  routed  at  Sharpsburg,  it  woulil  have, 
resulted  in  its  ruin  ;  and  the  only  barriei'  would  thus  have  been  broken 
down  which  prevented  the  enemy  from  taking  possession  of  Richmond;  and  ■ 
then  would  liave  followed  all  the  deplorable  consequences  to  the  Con- 
federacy, and  especially  to  the  Atlantic  stafes  of:the  South,  which  such  a 
calamity  would  have  flooded  upon  us. 

But  if  we  are  indebted,  for  detiverance,  to  the  prowess  of  our  troops. 
who  fought  on  that  day  with  a  bravery  and  determined  resolution  like  to 
which  soldiers  never  before  fought,  let  us  remember  that  tlie  xaiite  cauxe.t 
now  exist  which  then  weakened  our  army — by  keeping  out  of  the  field  tens 
of  thousands  of  our  troops,  and  wliich  nearly  brought  us  to  ruin. 

Extent  of  this  dcstUuiion.  ^ 

It  Is  stated  by  one  who  was  present  on  the  oecaeion,  that  of  those  who 
fought  that  battle,  "one-fifth  of  tliem  Avere  barcf  footed,  and  one-half  of 
them  in  rags;"  and  such  we  may  infer  was  the  condition  of«most  of  those 
who  fill  oif  by  the  way,  and  have  been  branded  as"'^  sti-agglers."  We  here 
have  an  amount  of  destitution,  which  Is  deplorable  to  think  of;  and  in  the 
near  a])proacli  of  winter,  the  exposure  of  our  soldiers  in  the  open  field,  in 
tliat  ii*liosj)itable  climate,  calls  upon  every  feeling  within  us,  of  duty,  hu- 
manity, gratitude,  and  patriotism,  to  come  forward  wltliout  delay  and  send 
them  relief. 

We  come  now  to  inquire  how  shall  that  relief  be  provided  ?  And  here 
the  <'onunittee  would  premise  that,  in  a  claim  of  such  magnitude,  our  people 
should  ])repare  themselves  to  make  sacrifices.  To  limit  themselves  to  mere 
superfluities,  in  making  up  their  oflerings,  would  often  fall  very  far  short 
of  just  exjiectations,  and  tiieir  duty  toward  our  sutfering  soldiers.  They 
need  shoes,  blankets,  socks,  shirts,  coats,  ^ants,  drawers,  and,  in  a  few 
cases,  liats«;ind  great-coats.  These  must  be  purchased  already  made,  or  the 
materials  purchased  and  made  up  by  our  wives  and  daughters. 

;# 
Ilow  shall  it  be  relieved  ? 

A  large  amount  of  moui-y  wilj  then  be  recj^ired  to  make  these  purchases. 
Let  tliose,  then,  give  liberally  of  their  money  who  have  it;  and  they  who 
have  not,  obtain  t!u>  materials  If  they  can,  and  work  them  up  into  sliocs  or 
garments;  and  if  these  sources  fail,  then  let  us  resort  to  our  domestii;  sup- 
ply, and  divide  with  our  soldiers  nrir  own  clothes  and  blankets.  Let  no  one 
oljiject  to  the  "motley  uniibrm"  which  our  various  wardrobes  will  inapart  to 
our  army.  We  may  take  to  ourselves  the  consolation  of  knowing  tliat  we  ' 
have  done  the  best  in  our  power;  and  that  It  is  better  to  have  in  our  army 
the  uniformity  of  variety,  than  the  "uniform"  of  rags  or  nakedness.  If 
necessary  to  the  keeping  up  of  our  army  in  the  field,  and,  therefore, 
to  the  success  of  our  cause  in  establlsliino;  our  independence,  it  would 
be  a  false  pride,  and  a  silly  one,  to  object  to  sharing  our  blankets 
and  our   wardrobe  with  our  soldiers.     It  Is  but  transferrins:  these  from 


12 

friends  at  home  to  relatives  in  the  nruiy;  and  if  noeil  bo,  we  will  divide  onr 
clothes  again,  and  yet   again,  with  our  bretliren   thtre,  nnlil  we  shall  be  C 

rcduiL'd  ourselves,  ncit  ti)  rags  (for  Southern  women  will  not  allow  iVionds 
at  home  to  eome  to  tint),  but  to  darns  and  patches,  which  may  yet  become 
the  honorable  badges,  by  which  to  distinguish  the  patriots  ot"  onr  second 
Revolution.  TIk"  man  who  ha.s  unalterably  resolved  that  this  Conle<U'r;u-y 
'shall  be  free  and  indcj)cndcnt.  has  no  place  for  so  unwortUy  a  sentiment  as 
shame,  if  it  stand  in  tlie  way  of  its  honorable  accomplishment. 

The  New  mat^iah  in  the  hands  of  Speculators,  Monopolists,  and 
Extortioners. 

We  have  enlarged  upon  tliis  point,  becanse  it  is  sadly  manit'cst  to  us, 
fellow-citizens,  that  the  stock  of  material  to  be  wrought  up  into  shoes  and 
clothing  is  not  so  much  sranli/  as  it  may  be  beyond  onr  reach,  from  tiic  ex- 
travagant j>ri(<'9  at  wiiif'h  tlicv  are  held.  Tiiey  are  in  the  hands  of  specu- 
lators, mono])olists  and  extortioners,  whose  .-iouls  are  so  steeped  in  avarice, 
as  to  1k'  insensible  to  any  appeals  of  humanity  or  patriotism.  They  care 
nothing  for  the  soldier,  whether  lie  pei'ish  for  lack  of  cluthing.  They  care 
nothing  for  the  soldier's  wife  and  family  whom  he  has  lett  at  home,  but 
grind  out  of  their 'necessities  the  extrcmcst  prices  for  the  few  articles 
(their  >/an>,  their  cloth,  their  .su(/ui;  and  their  .salt)  which  are  iiidispeiisriblc 
to  them.  In  procuring,  tiicu,  supplies  for  our  soldiers,  we  cannot  depend 
upon  the  stores  in  the  hands  of  such  voracious  corinorants,  but  leave  them 
to  the  judgment  which  God  has  denounced  upon  tiie  extortioner,  and 
under  the  full  persuasion  tliat  the  sighs  and  the  tears  of  the  poor,  which  ^ 

have  been  gathered  in  with  tiiose  treasures,  will  eat  them  up  like  a.  canker,  '^ 

and  leave,  in  the  end,  nothing  but  barrenness  in  their  collers.  , 

If,  then,  we  cannot  j)urcliase  irom  the  public  wai-ehouses  the  shoes  and 
garments  needed  lor  our  soldiers,  and  if  we  are  debarred  the  use  of  the 
unwrought  materials  in  the  hands  of  monoi)olist.s,  then  our  only  resource  is 
to  call  upon  our  own  wardroi)es  and  Ijlankets;  which,  with  diligence  in 
collecting,  and  industry  in  repairing  them,  would  go  far  in  relieving  the 
present  necessities  of  our  soldiers,  h  there  one  who  will  deny  his  share  of 
these,  or  refuse  to  make  up  his  bundle  ?  The  supposition  is  not  to  be 
entertained.  » 

The  soldier  guards  each  man's  home,  althouijh  he  may  be  vn  the 
frontier  of  Virginia,  or  our  oicn  iSca-coiist. 

Remember  that  our  soldiers  who  arc  guarding  our  frontier,  no  matter 
where  may  be  that  frontier,  may  justly  be  considered  aa  standing  sentinel 
at  eacli  man's  gate,  tio  matter  where  that  man's  home  may  be.  The  defence 
of  the  frontier  is  necessarily  the  protection  of  all  within  it;  and  the  army 
of  the  I'otomac  is  no  more  the  guard  of  our  capitol  at  Richmond,  tlian  it  is 
the  guard  of  the  town  of  Columbia,  and  of  every  plantation  and  hamlet 
between  whird),  and  the  enemy,  it  interposes  its  powerful  shield.  It  would 
be  an  ignorant  and  short-sighted  view  to  suppose  that,  in  guarding  our  t'ron- 
tler  in  Vij-gmia,  or  on  our  own  sea-coast,  we  are  guarding  Virginia  or  our 
own  sea-coaxt  alone.  The  frontier,  which  is  in  Virginia,  or  on  the  sea-coast 
to-day,  if  not  guarded  by  a  sutlicient  army,  may  in  due  time  be  transferred, 
by  an  advaneing  enemy,  to  Columbia  or  Greenville,  to  Yorkville  or  Spar- 
tanburg. The  intelligcjit  mind,  then,  can  readily  contemplate  the  sentinel 
who  keeps  watch  and  ward  for  us  on  the  banks  of  the  rotomae,  or  on  I 


13 

tlie  sea-coast,  as  substantially  doinpf  the  same  thing  for  every  town  and 
family,  between  those  frontiers  and  his  own  home.  Let  us,  then,  fellow- 
citizens,  familiarize  ourselves  to  this  undeniable  truth.  Let  us  realize  the 
fact  that,  although  in  person  our  armies  may  be  in  Virginia  or  on  the  sea- 
coast,  they  are  virtually,  and  for  all  the  purposes,  for  which  the  army  is 
raised,  protecting  each  man's  home  in  the  interior,  no  matter  where  that 
home  may  be. 

Contemplate,  then,  the  faithful  sentinel,  doing  at  your  own  gate  what  he 
is  doing  in  Virginia  or  on  the  sea-coast — pacing  his  weary  rounds  by  day 
and  by  night,  neither  slumbering  nor  sleeping — eyes  to  the  army,  to  warn  it 
as  well  as  yourselves,  of  any  danger  that  may  be  approaching.  Contem- 
plate him  performing  this  dreary  duty,  without  murmuring,  witliout  reward, 
or  hope  of  reward,  and  at  much  peril  of  his  life,  and  consider  that  he  under- 
goes all  this,  that  you  may  enjoy  your  home  in  peace,  that  your  family  may 
be  protected  from  insult,  and  your  property  be  preserved  from  spoliation. 
With  such  motives  jjrompting  him,  and  with  such  priceless  favors  conferred 
upon  you,  could  you  jiass  that  man  without  admiration,  gratitude,  respect, 
and  without  having  feelings  of  the  kindliest  good  will  springing  up  toward 
him? 


Who  can  then  refuse  to  relia'e  his  icantsf 

Should  you  pass  him  at  your  gate,  while  performing  these  arduous  duties 
which  redound  so  greatly  to  the  safety  and  comfort  of  those  who  are  dear 
to  you,  and  see  that  he  was  fihnelesx  and  in  rar/s,  would  not  the  immediate 
impulse  of  justice  and  gratitude  be,  to  hasten  into  your  dwelling  and  set 
your  wife  and  (laughters  about  the  task,  so  grateful  to  them,  of  making  him 
a  warm  and  comiortablc  suit ;  or,  if  you  had  no  materials  with  which  to 
make  these,  would  you  not  resort  to  your  own  wardrobe  and  share  with  him 
your  own  garments  and  shoes  ? 

Again,  should  ynw,  from  your  ow7i  sheltering  domicile,  behold  tliis  faithful 
man,  exposed  to  all  the  inclemencies  of  winter,  drenched  witli  rain  and  the 
driving  sleet,  still  ]>aciiig  his  dreary  watch  before  your  gate  ;  should  you  seb 
him  next,  tluis  cold  and  wet,  and  in  his  tattered  or  threadbare  clothes, 
throw  iiimself  upon  the  cold  ground,  without  covering  or  shelter,  to  seek 
for  rest  and  sleep,  what,  let  us  ask,  would  be  the  promptings  of  every  gener- 
ous mind,  but  to  send  to  him  instant  and  sufficient  relief?  Who  would  not 
send  him,  if  he  could,  a  great-coat  to  shelter  him  while  on  duty,  and  a  blan- 
ket to  cover  him  at  night  ?  Who  could  find  peace  within  his  own  bosom, 
although  surroui\ded  by  all  the  comfoi'ts  of  a  luxurious  home,  so  long  as  he 
reflected  that  the  henofactor,  to  whom  he  was  indebted  for  all  these  enjoy- 
ments,  was  suffering  so  many,  and  such  severe  privations  on  his  account? 
The  pit'rcing  cold,  and  the  howling  storm  which  were  raging  without  upon 
the  soldier's  unsheltered  head,  would  be  l)ut  so  many  angry  messengers  of 
conscience  to  rej)roach  him  of  his  ingratitude  and  meanness,  and  to  drive 
sleep  from  his  eyelids. 

Let  no  one  say  that  this  is  an  exaggerated  representation  of  the  case.  It 
is  only  necessary  to  consider  the  army  in  its  true  functions — and  that  is,  as 
the  defender  of  every  man  and  ever}'  man's  family  and  ])ropertv,  at  Jiia  ovn 
door,  no  matter  how  remote  the  frontier  may  be,  which  is  actually  oci-upied; 
and  then  every  man  will  feel  (as  it  is  his  duty  to  do)  that  he  has  a  personal 
interest  in  making  that  army  as  eflicient  as  possible,  for  his  onm  defence  and 
securiiv. 


^14 

What  should  be  Contributed. 

Let  ovory  one,  tlion,  como  forward,  as  we  have  before  said,  and  i  intribute 
liberally,  in  money  if  lie  have  it,  to  puichase  elothinjr  and  material  to  be 
wroujiht  up  into  elothiiijr;  in  cloth  if  he  have  it.  and  in  blankets,  or  woolen 
carpels  as  a  substitute  for  blankets.  The  f|uilted  "eomforts,"  so  ealled.  are 
not  eonsiderefl  so  useful  to  the  soldier  as  the  blanket,  whirh  is  easier  dried 
after  beiiifr  wet.  Let  the  "  eoniforts."  then,  be  retained  for  use  at  honie, 
and  our  blankets  be  sent  to  our  soldii-rs.  Hut  some  one,  percliance,  poor  in 
this  world's  {roods,  may  say:  "I  have  no  blankets  to  fj:ive,  and  no  carjjets  to 
cut  up  as  a  substitute  ;  I  have  but  this  coarse  '  comfort '  to  contribute  :  it  is 
the  best,  nay.  it  is  all  I  have."  Then  give  that,  thou  penerous  one,  and  a.s 
God  bles'^etl  the  ()(Tenn<r  of  the  indicent  widow,  aithouyh  it  was  iiut  a  mite, 
so  your  country,  in  the  name  of  the  soldier,  will  bless  you.  Let  no  one, 
then,  consider  her  oflering  too  small,  or  insi<rni(icant — be  it  ouly  a  pair  of 
socks,  or  a  cotton  shirt,  or  a  pair  of  drawers,  it  w  ill  help  to  clothe  at  least 
one  soldier. 

Shouhl  be  sent  without  Delay. 

But  whatever  you  do,  fellow-citizens,  do  cpiickly,  Before  the  earliest 
contributions  can  reacdi  our  men,  winter,  with  all  its  horrors,  will  be  upon 
them :  with  its  pleurisies,  its  pneumonias,  and  its  rheumatisms,  to  fill  our 
hospitals,  and  to  thin  our  rnnks.  The  condition  ni'  our  South  Carolina  sol- 
diers in  the  army  of  the  I'otomac  is  represented  to  be  deplorable,  and 
should  make  us  blush  for  shame,  as  their  countrymen.  It  is  stated  in  the 
puljlic  jirints,  "That  since  they  started  on  this  campaign,  they  liave 
marched  hundreds  of  miles,  and  fought,  and  helped  to  win  battle  after  bat- 
tle ;  and  now  they  are  nearly  naked,  having  lost  and  worn  out  the  little 
clothing  and  blankets  they  had."  "I  have  seen  (says  the  same  eye-witness) 
many  a  South  Carolinian  gi^ng  about  without  the  sign  of  a  shoe,  or  a  coat, 
or  a  blanket ;"  and  he  testifies  that  "the  South  Carolina  troops  are  the 
worst  clad  troops  in  the  (icKl."  And  private  letters,  we  grieve  to  say,  fully 
iiorroborate  tluise  public  accounts. 

This  scalding  re])roacli  should  not  for  a  day  be  allowed  to  rest  U])on  the 
fair  name  of"  our  state.  Listen  not  to  the  preachings  of  those  who  may  say 
that  "  it  is  the  duty  of  the  Confederate  Guvernment  to  clothe  our  troops  ;" 
or,  that  it  is  owing  to  the  carcles.^tiess  of  our  troops  that  their  blankets  and 
clothes  are  worn  out.  This  is  the  "rat-hole"  of  the  virtuous  .vji^'a/.N,  the  penu- 
rious, and  mean-sj)irited  (into  which  they  retreat),  to  a\"oid  the  duty  of  con- 
tributing their  proper  share.  Suppose  we  a/lmit  the  correctness  of  the 
propositions  in  the  abstract,  which  we  may  do  in  the  first  case.  What 
then  y  The  fiicl  l)cing  imdeniable,  that  our  .soldiers  are  witliout  shoes,  ami 
in  rags,  and  witliout  blankets ;  wouhl  these  virtuous  casuists  leave  them  in 
that  condition,  when  the  government  may  be  uimlih'  to  fulfd  its  duties  to 
them,  or  would  tlicy.  exact  of  soldiers,  for  weeks  on  rapid  marches,  to-day, 
fording  rivers  in  their  shoes,  to-morrow  engaged  in  raging  battles,  or  ])ur- 
suing  the  enemy,  in  their  wet  shoes,  so  uni)n)i>itious  to  their  durability — 
■would  they,  we  ask,  exact  of  our  soldiers,  under  such  circumstance!*,  the 
same  austere  jirudenee,  and  economy,  which  they  might  be  expected  to 
practice  if  at  their  j)eaceful  homes,  siuTOUuded  by  their  daughters  and 
wives  V  Surely  no  reasonable  man  would  insist  upon  such  a  measure  of 
exact  bidiavior. 

Let  us  then,  fellow-citizens,  spurning  these  mean  subti'rfugcs.  and  i-eject- 
ing  all  trivial  excuses,  come  up  to  our  great  work  with  manliness  and  can- 


15 


dor ;  and  then,  if  every  man  will  do  his  duty,  many  weeks  will  not  have 
passed  away,  before  the  troops  of  South  Carolina  in  the  army  of  the  Poto- 
mac, from  being  as  they  are  now,  the  "  worst,"  will  be  the  best  clad  in  the 
field. 


J.  TOAVNSEND,  Chairman. 
J.  L.  REYNOLDS. 
J.  C.  LYONS. 
S.  R.  BLACK. 
WM.  REYNOLDS. 
JOHN  FISHER. 
THOMAS  DAVIS. 


W.  A.  HARRIS. 

W.  F.  DeSAUSSURE. 

ANDREW  CRAWFORD. 

C.  R.  BRYCE. 

J.  AV.  PARKER. 

WM.  MARTIN. 


Rev.  R.  W.  Barnwell  moved  the  adoprtion  of  the  report  and  address. 
Hon.  Wm.  F.  DeSaussure,  in  secondin;i  the  motion,  addressed  the  meeting 
a:t  some  length,  when  it  was  moved  that  the  Central  Committee  consist  of 
ten;  and,  on  motion,  the  Chairman  of  this  meeting  was  added  as  Chairman 
of  the  Central  Committee,  with  power  to  appoint  at  his  leisure. 

On  motion,  the  meeting  adjourned. 

M.  LaBORDE,  Chairmftn. 

Edw'ard  Hope,  Secretary. 


Hollinger  Corp. 
pH  8.5 


